Southampton Transfers: 5 Reasons Why Graziano Pelle Is Perfect For Saints
He's big, he's strong and he's been a goal machine in the past two years. But can he replace Rickie Lambert?
Marco Vasini/AP/Press Association ImagesWith Southampton looking to rebuild after a summer that has seen their top talents leave the club, Graziano Pelle has signed for the Saints from Feyenoord for a fee believed to be in the region of £9 million, according to the Express. The striker, who scored 50 league goals in 57 Eredivisie games across two seasons for the Dutch side, reunites with his old manager Ronald Koeman on a three-year deal at St. Marys. In a statement on the clubs official website, Pelle said: "Im really happy that its finally signed. I had some teams interested in me, but this is going to be the best choice for me because the club wants to keep improving every year."The 28 year-old Italian striker is Ronald Koemans second signing of the summer and has been lined up to fill the void left by Rickie Lambert who departed for Liverpool before the World Cup - and will represent the club's most important attacking element with Jay Rodriguez still out injured and Dani Osvaldo probably unfancied (considering he hasn't yet turned up for pre-season). Saints, who also signed Serbian play-maker Dusan Tadic from FC Twente earlier last week, are currently fighting to keep hold of Dejan Lovren and Morgan Schneiderlin who are reportedly being hunted by Liverpool and Arsenal respectively, and in all honesty, they probably face a tough task in doing so. And in Pelle, the club have made a very smart signing. He is well-suited to Southampton, and here are five reasons why...